Palpable Lumps after Mastectomy: Radiologic-Pathologic Review of Benign and Malignant Masses.

Patients who have undergone mastectomy, with or without reconstruction, are not universally screened with mammography or US. Therefore, clinical breast examination by the physician and patient-detected palpable abnormalities are crucial for detecting breast cancer or recurrence. Diagnostic US is the first-line modality for evaluation of postmastectomy palpable masses, with occasional adjunct use of diagnostic mammography for confirming certain benign masses. In the setting of a negative initial imaging evaluation with continued clinical concern, diagnostic MRI may aid in improving sensitivity. Knowledge of the typical multimodality imaging appearances and locations of malignant palpable abnormalities-such as invasive carcinoma recurrence, cancer in residual breast tissue, radiation-induced sarcoma, and metastatic disease-is crucial in diagnosis and treatment of these entities. In addition, familiarity with the range of benign palpable postmastectomy processes-including fat necrosis, fat graft, seroma, granuloma, neuroma, fibrosis, and infection-may help avoid unnecessary biopsies and reassure patients. The authors review common and rare benign and malignant palpable masses in mastectomy patients, describe multimodality diagnostic imaging evaluation of each entity, review radiologic and pathologic correlation, and acquaint the radiologist with management when these findings are encountered. ©RSNA, 2021.

Transitioning from trainee to breast radiologist: A guide for a successful first year.

The transition from trainee to newly minted breast radiologist is exciting and daunting in equal measure. The early years in practice are pivotal to long-term success in breast imaging whether entering academic or nonacademic practice. Yet a paucity of literature exists to guide junior radiologists in their early career transition. New breast radiologists can successfully navigate the start of a prosperous and enriching career by implementing strategies adapted from the business world and collective wisdom from the radiology world. This article provides an outline of tips and habits for new radiologists to incorporate in their work lives as attendings to ensure that they will thrive in breast imaging for years to come.

Breast Imaging Fellowship Match: Applicants' Perspectives of Years Two and Three.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to summarize the results of a survey distributed by the Society of Breast Imaging (SBI) to assess applicants' experience with the 2018 and 2019 Breast Imaging Fellowship Match process. METHODS: In this institutional review board-exempt study, the SBI issued an anonymous survey to all matched applicants in an attempt to gauge their experience with the 2018 and 2019 Match process. RESULTS: The survey was sent to all 2018 and 2019 matched applicants and 105/236 (45%) responses were received. The majority (75%, 79/105) of respondents reported a positive experience with the Match, with at least a 4/5 rating, and only 3% (5/105) reported a rating below 3/5. There was some improvement in 2019, with 86% (24/28) of respondents reporting at least a 4/5 rating compared to 71% (55/77) in 2018. No respondent reported a score below a 3/5 rating in 2019. The most commonly cited issues with the Match were the timing of the Match process, the need for a universal application, and the burden of travel. Location and program reputation were the two most important factors contributing to the final rank order of programs. CONCLUSION: The great majority of applicants felt that the Match created a positive experience. Planned areas of improvement include the implementation of a universal application, the transition to virtual interviews, and a condensed timeline. These measures are likely to increase applicant satisfaction and provide a fair and efficient experience for future breast radiologists.

Evaluation of association between degree of background parenchymal enhancement on MRI and breast cancer subtype.

PURPOSE: Evaluate possible association between BPE and breast cancer tumor type/prognostic markers. METHODS: IRB approved retrospective study from 1/2010-1/2014 identified 328 patients who had breast MRI and available clinical/pathology data. BPE was categorized according to BI-RADS. The association between BPE and breast cancer molecular subtype/prognostic factors was evaluated. RESULTS: No significant association was present between high BPE and the following: HER2+ tumors, basal tumors, tumors with axillary nodal disease, high nuclear grade tumors, high Ki-67 index tumors or larger tumors. CONCLUSION: Patients with high BPE may be at increased risk for breast cancer but not necessarily for those cancer subtypes with a poor prognosis.

The Contact Zone: A Common Site of Tumor Recurrence in a Patient Who Underwent Skin-Sparing Mastectomy and Myocutaneous Flap Reconstruction.

Routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) screening is not typically warranted in asymptomatic patients with a history of breast cancer and myocutaneous flap reconstruction due to the rare incidence of local tumor recurrence. We present a case of recurrent invasive ductal carcinoma along the contact zone between the transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap and the native breast tissue that was incidentally detected on a routine high-risk screening-MRI of the breast in an asymptomatic patient with a history of breast cancer.

Vesical varices: an unusual presentation of portal hypertension.

We present a case of vesical varices manifesting as hematuria in a patient with severe portal hypertension. Vesical varices are an uncommon type of ectopic varices in patients with portal hypertension and are usually seen in patients who have undergone prior interventions that alter portal pressure dynamics. Our case demonstrates that this unusual entity was present in a patient without prior intervention and serves as reminder to assess for ectopic varices in order to mitigate or prevent associated morbidity.

Paradoxical migrating cyst: an unusual presentation of intraventricular neurocysticercosis with a coincidental pituitary adenoma.

Intraventricular neurocysticercosis is an uncommon entity which may become symptomatic due to cerebrospinal fluid flow obstruction. Migration of intraventricular cysts through the ventricular spaces is a rare occurrence. This phenomenon is poorly understood but may be due to pressure changes within the ventricular cavities. We present a patient with intraventricular neurocysticercosis with paradoxical transaqueductal migration of the cyst from the cerebral aqueduct to the fourth ventricle shortly after ventricular drain placement for acute hydrocephalus. The patient also presented with a coincidental sellar and suprasellar mass, later pathologically proven to be a pituitary adenoma. The migration of this cyst resulted in spontaneous relief of obstruction at the cerebral aqueduct, thus restoring normal cerebrospinal fluid pathways and avoiding permanent shunting. We discuss the possible mechanisms and implications of cyst migration, and the diagnostic challenges of concomitant findings of a pituitary mass and neurocysticercosis. Although the presence of a sellar and suprasellar mass in a patient with known neurocysticercosis should raise clinical suspicion for the possibility of sellar neurocysticercosis, pituitary macroadenoma is a more common entity and a more likely etiology for a sellar lesion.